BROADGREEN residents have complained about problems with a rat infestation after fly-tipping and littering in the area has been attracting the animals.

A number of residents around Fleming Way have contacted councillors to inform them of the problem, which has been going on for a number of years.

Attempts to curb the population of rats in the area have seen some successes in the past, but rubbish in the area keeps bringing them back.

Coun Fay Howard (Lab, Liden, Eldene and Park South), said: “It is an ongoing problem, and I am listening to residents to try and solve it.

“People eat their food in the street and leave the wrappers lying around, so it does attract vermin and it is hard to keep them away without stopping that problem first.

The rat problem spurred residents to action in the area in 2007, after the council scrapped their weekly bin collection.

Swindon Council have said they are taking the matter seriously and will be clearing shrub beds more regularly and also providing more bins.

Broadgreen residents created a mountain of rubbish to demonstrate the quantity in the area, and found a number of rats in the waste.

Karen Benton, 46, of Medgbury Place, thinks the state of Broadgreen has not improved.

She said: “I had a huge one in the back garden recently. I actually screamed because it was massive. It was rummaging around the bin liners. If my 10-year-old son had seen it he would have panicked.

“When you have got kids you do worry, because they can carry diseases.

“My little boy is autistic, and I don’t want him going in the garden any more.

“I rang the council up about the problem, and they told me I would have to pay for the pest control myself. But I should not have to, it is not my house that is causing the problems..

“There has been all sorts thrown out the back here, like TVs and mattresses. It winds me up because they should be getting rid of it all properly.”

A spokesman for Swindon Council said: “The number of complaints from residents about rats has fallen dramatically, however we are not complacent and take the matter very seriously.

“In the past there have been sightings of rats on the public land adjoining Fleming Way, where there is a ready supply of food from discarded wrappings and half-eaten takeaways “The council is tackling this by increasing the times it clears the beds and is planning to install more bins.

“Where safe to do so rat holes in the beds are baited with rodenticide.

“Rodent activity is routinely monitored and members of the public can help reduce the issue by disposing of their rubbish responsibly.

“We have received a small number of complaints from residents in streets adjoining the town centre, who have seen rats in their gardens and a subsidised pest treatment service is available in the interest of protecting public health.

“Call on 01793 445500 for advice and treatment if necessary.”